News and entertainment media tend to link mental illness and criminal violence; however, studies indicate that except for those persons with a record of criminal violence before becoming ill, and those with substance abuse or alcohol problems, people with schizophrenia are not especially prone to violence.
Most individuals with schizophrenia are not violent; more typically, they are withdrawn and prefer to be left alone. Most violent crimes are not committed by persons with schizophrenia, and most persons with schizophrenia do not commit violent crimes.
Substance abuse significantly raises the rate of violence in people with schizophrenia but also in people who do not have any mental illness. People with paranoid and psychotic symptoms, which can become worse if medications are discontinued, may also be at higher risk for violent behavior. When violence does occur, it is most frequently targeted at family members and friends, and more often takes place at home.
What's Related
- Do People Inherit Schizophrenia?
- Schizophrenia and Substance Abuse
- What Causes Domestic Violence?
- Top 10 Signs of Schizophrenia
- Taking Action with Domestic Violence
- An Introduction to Schizophrenia
- Who Are the Victims of Domestic Violence?
- Symptoms of Domestic Violence
- Undifferentiated Schizophrenia
- Post-Schizophrenic Depression
- Other articles by National Institute of Mental Health
Last reviewed:
On December 10, 2006
By John M. Grohol, Psy.D.
